Picture Car Glossary
kill switch in a stunt vehicle
What is a kill switch in a stunt vehicle?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called cutoff switch, or emergency stop.
A kill switch in a stunt vehicle is a safety mechanism often a remote-triggered electrical cutoff or a manual emergency stop that allows a safety supervisor or remote operator to instantly disable the engine or fuel supply of a picture car during a stunt.
Kill switches are required on many high-risk stunt vehicles and are part of the overall safety engineering package designed and signed off by the stunt coordinator before the gag is performed. Their exact location and operation must be known to all crew in the stunt zone.
Example
A remote cutoff lets a safety officer shut the engine down instantly if a stunt goes wrong or a performer cannot reach the controls. It is checked as part of the pre-stunt safety walk, every time, not once at the build.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Installed by stunts or special effects, and verified on the safety brief before each attempt.
Common mistake
Checking the switch once at the build. It is verified as part of the safety walk before every attempt, because a cutoff that worked last week is not the same as one that works now.
Related questions
- What is a kill switch on a stunt vehicle?
- A remote or manual electrical cutoff letting a safety officer shut the vehicle down instantly if a stunt goes wrong or the driver cannot reach the controls.
- Who is responsible for the kill switch?
- Stunts or special effects install it, and it is confirmed working during the safety brief before each attempt.
Official sources
Sourcing picture cars for a production? Find, vote on, budget, and book them in one place with Revolution, free for productions.
See how it works